The Big Pike. 



Another cast, and the spoon dropped lightly on the water 

 just under the willow. My! what a splash as he cleared the 

 water with the spoon in his mouth ! How that little Chubb rod 

 did bend to the work ! Out went the line as he struck for the 

 open water. A little more pressure on the reel and he leaped 

 clear out of the water and. making; a sudden turn, rushed for 

 the roots. It required quick work with the crank to recover the 

 line and check him. But a few feet of grace were left when I 

 got him on the spring of the rod again. ^Yitll a few vicious 

 shakes of the head he turned and dashed out again 150 feet. 

 The line was getting short, and I raised the tip and made an 

 effort to head him back. Gently I worked him in, as I felt him 

 weakening and that the battle was won. -I got glimpses 

 of his black back as he shot through the water this way and 

 that way, fighting desperately for his liberty. 



\Yhen within twenty-five feet of the dam he made a sud- 

 den dive for the willow and, jumping clear of the water again, 

 shook the hook free of his mouth. 



\Yell ! he was a big fish and a hard fighter. I was obliged 

 to use a great deal of force to keep him from getting among the 

 snags. Very likely he was but slightly hooked, and my frail 

 hold on him had torn out, by the great force put on the line. 



Thus I figured it out to myself, but never felt satisfied that 

 there was not a little carelessness mixed up in my defeat. T 

 made a few more forlorn casts, hoping the old fellow would 

 give me another chance, but he seemed to be better satisfied 

 than I was. Sadly I reeled up my line, and slowly we wended 

 our way along the shore toward the village. I had but little 

 to say, but dear old Charlie tried to make me believe I had 

 handled him all right, and that his loss was no discredit to me. 



This was over twenty years ago, but I often live it all over 

 again, and enjoy the fight almost as much as I did on that 

 memorable evening on the banks of the Maquoketa. 



Outdoor Life. 



37] 



M QO 



